Orange’s Miguel Orendain Jr., shown in a game against Irvine, has been one of the Panthers top offensive threats this season.
Orange High’s football coaches and players have their sights set on a second consecutive CIF championship.
The Panthers won the Division 13 crown last year and this year were moved up to the higher Division 9.
Orange won its fifth game in a row Saturday, defeating Saddleback 62-0 in the Orange Coast League opener at Fred Kelly Stadium. It appears that the Panthers and Santa Ana (4-2, 1-0) are on a collision course for the Orange Coast League title.
The two teams meet on the last week of the season, Friday Oct. 26 at Santa Ana Stadium.
“Obviously, we moved up in divisions,” said Orange Coach Robert Pedroza. “We look at that as a great challenge for our program and we think our program is on the right track. We just want to keep pushing forward.
“It was a special year last year but this is a new team that has new goals and we’re going to try and keep accomplishing those goals.”
Pedroza said he is well aware of Santa Ana, which defeated Costa Mesa last week 79-0.
“They’re a good football team and I believe we’re a good football team too and it will be a fun match-up when we play each other,” he said.
“Our goal is to get there and play for a league title and then make our run for the playoffs.”
Running back/defensive back Andrew Andrade wasn’t on last year’s team. But he’s hoping the Panthers can capture a second title.
“Let’s hope we do this run again this year,” said Andrade, who had a 76-yard TD run Saturday. “That’s the goal (a CIF title).
ORANGE WINS FIFTH IN A ROW, DEFEATING SADDLEBACK 62-0
ORANGE PANTHERS EARN CIF TOP 10 RANKING
-Tim Burt; timburt@ocsportszone.com
More Stories
Baseball rosters and schedules for Ryan Lemmon Showcase this weekend
St. Margaret’s captures CIF Division 3 title with straight-set win over San Clemente
CIF baseball playoff quarterfinal round final scores and highlights for OC teams